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SMS length. Device or carrier specific?

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With pretty much every other phone in the world you can type a text message 4 million characters long and the phone will simply break it into multiple messages. I've had probably 20 different BB's on 4 different carriers and I can't remember if this worked on any of them. I don't think so though. Why would RIM do it like this?

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I think you're all missing something. When you're in the process of typing a message, the OS is what is in control, not the carrier. I can use a non-verizon OS, non-verizon sim card, and the device still doesn't let you type beyond the limit. I also had an ATT Curve that I'm SURE didn't break up long text messages into multiple messages.

I've heard that Verizon Wireless supports Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) but only between it's own customers (i.e. Verizon to Verizon not Verizon to AT&T, etc). If you've ever sent/received a SMS message between 2 non-smartphones on Verizon, you'll notice that you can insert a small animation that will be received by the other party. I think EMS will automatically break up long SMS messages into multiple messages. The 160 character limitation on the Blackberry is definitely a device limitation, however if you try to send a message longer than 160 characters from Verizon to a non-Verizon customer, you will get a warning message back telling you that only the first 160 characters will be sent to other party.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam K

I've heard that Verizon Wireless supports Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) but only between it's own customers (i.e. Verizon to Verizon not Verizon to AT&T, etc). If you've ever sent/received a SMS message between 2 non-smartphones on Verizon, you'll notice that you can insert a small animation that will be received by the other party. I think EMS will automatically break up long SMS messages into multiple messages. The 160 character limitation on the Blackberry is definitely a device limitation, however if you try to send a message longer than 160 characters from Verizon to a non-Verizon customer, you will get a warning message back telling you that only the first 160 characters will be sent to other party.

Thank you for understanding me. The typing limit is CLEARLY device-based. You can take the device while not on any network at all and if you type an sms message it will say "field full" when you reach the limit. So again I'm wondering why RIM chose this.

Thank you for understanding me. The typing limit is CLEARLY device-based. You can take the device while not on any network at all and if you type an sms message it will say "field full" when you reach the limit. So again I'm wondering why RIM chose this.

I'm wondering the same thing. I've been griping about this since I first switched from a non-smartphone on Verizon to the Pearl. I was used to being able to type long messages to my friends who were on Verizon and not having to worry about. It's really annoying that I have to stop after 160 characters, send that message and then compose another reply. I'm sure it's also annoying for the recipient who has to wait a few more seconds for the rest of the text message to arrive instead of receiving all the parts at once.

Thank you for understanding me. The typing limit is CLEARLY device-based. You can take the device while not on any network at all and if you type an sms message it will say "field full" when you reach the limit. So again I'm wondering why RIM chose this.

From what I understand, it is a CARRIER limit imposed on the BlackBerrys. It seems to be a component of the OS - which Verizon has a hand in modifying to their speculations, as we all know from the GPS lock-down threads that used to go on and on around here.

To rachamphetimine's point, I believe that the carrier sets the limitation, and submits that limit as part of the specs for the OS. A change in this bewteen OS' from the same carrier may reflect a change in the carrier's desire for a size limit.

__________________1st Step in Troubleshooting: Do you have a BlackBerry Data Plan?2nd Step in Troubleshooting: Pull the Battery.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by rachamphetamine

From what I understand, it is a CARRIER limit imposed on the BlackBerrys. It seems to be a component of the OS - which Verizon has a hand in modifying to their speculations, as we all know from the GPS lock-down threads that used to go on and on around here.

Except that when NOT using a verizon OS you STILL get the "field full" message when you TYPE (not send) over the limit. It is a RIM design choice.

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Originally Posted by gsontag

Its device specific. I had another verizon cell previous to my storm and i could type up to 7 "pages" in one message but on the storm it stops you at 160.

exactly. its always amazing to me how people will argue based on what they THINK. i just SPOKE to verizon and they confirmed that as long as a DEVICE will break a long message into many smaller messages, they have no problem SENDING them out. but the act of TYPING the message is controlled by the device and has nothing to do with the carrier at that point.

I'm wondering the same thing. I've been griping about this since I first switched from a non-smartphone on Verizon to the Pearl. I was used to being able to type long messages to my friends who were on Verizon and not having to worry about. It's really annoying that I have to stop after 160 characters, send that message and then compose another reply. I'm sure it's also annoying for the recipient who has to wait a few more seconds for the rest of the text message to arrive instead of receiving all the parts at once.

My Pearl with ATT lets me type as many characters as I want and then breaks it down into 160 character SMS messages. Sounds like it is carrier specific.